Main Group Elements- Extinguishing Candles with Carbon Dioxide

  Extinguishing Candles with Carbon Dioxide

Description: Carbon dioxide is poured down a trough of lit candles, putting them out.

Source: UW Card Catalog

Year: N/A  Vol: N/A   Page: N/A

Keywords: Fire extinguisher, Combustion, Flammability, Density, Carbon dioxide

Ratings:

Hazard: Some

  • Fire hazard
  • Asphyxiation hazard
  • Cryogenic burn hazard

Effectiveness: Excellent

  • Deeply engaging results
  • Spectacular or counterintuitive effects are seen by audience
  • Deep connection from demo to course material
  • Time to results is low
  • High reliability

Difficulty: Medium

  • Adding reagents in concert or timed manipulations
  • Reactions or demos at non-standard lab conditions
  • Sensitive to environment – air flow
  • Careful manipulations required
  • Prior practice recommended

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Gloves required
  • Cryogenic gloves recommended
  • Perform in a well ventilated area
  • ABC fire extinguisher on hand
  • Use fire resistant surface

Class: Main Group Elements, Physical Properties, Gases, Groups IVB and VB (14 and 15)

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry

Home| General Chemistry Demos| Inorganic Chemistry Demos